Receiver Cameron Batson of the Atlanta Falcons practice squad has been formally arrested and charged with five offenses following his early Saturday morning arrest.According to Fulton County jail records, Batson was arrested on Saturday and charged with violence, assault, aggravated assault against a law enforcement official while performing official duties, taking a public official’s firearm, and driving while fleeing to avoid a police officer.Depending on the offense, Batson can spend up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.
Police allegedly observed Batson’s pickup vehicle speeding on Interstate 75 North near the Northside Drive exit in Atlanta at around two in the morning on Saturday. When it was discovered that Batson was drunk, the police made an attempt to place him under arrest, but he “resisted and aggressively fought with
Police said that during the altercation, the officer discharged his gun, missing no targets, and then Batson returned to his truck and left. He allegedly crashed the truck at Northside and Echota Drive, ran away on foot, hid, and was apprehended by police after they discovered him. Batson was brought to the hospital for medical attention, along with the officer.
Following the arrest, the Falcons acknowledged Batson’s apprehension in a statement that was posted on Saturday.
“We have been made aware of an overnight incident involving Cameron Batson and are currently gathering information from law enforcement agencies,” the statement continued. “We take this matter seriously and have no further comment at this time.”
Although Batson, 27, has spent the entire season on Atlanta’s practice squad, he has not been called up to play in any games. After being left undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2018, Batson joined the Tennessee Titans and participated in 27 games between 2018 and 2021. He caught 22 passes for 197 yards and two scores, returned 16 kicks for 311 yards, and appeared in 27 games.